Toe-straightener.



.l. W. ARROWSMITH. TOE STRAIGHTENER. AljPLlCATION FILED MAY 28, 1914.

l 205,962.. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

WITNESSES ATTORNEY JAMES W. ARROWSMITH, OF MORRISTOWN, NEW J'SEY, ASSIGNOR TO ARROW- SMITH MFG. ('10., ING, OF MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

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' Specification ofLetters Patent. Patgntgd N V, 28, 1916,

Application filed May 28, 1914. Serial No. 841,522.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES W. Annow- SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Morristown, in the county of Morris and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Toe-Straightener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in toe straightening devices, and its object is to provide a cheap and eflicient device for the purpose adapted to be worn between the toes of the human foot, and over which the ordinary foot coverings may be placed. L

The toes of the human foot, and especially the great toe, often become misshapen and out of proper relation because of the action of improperly shaped shoes or like foot coverings, and it is desirable to provide a comfortable straightening device which may be readily worn whenever the shoe is upon the foot, so that by continued gentle pressure the misshapen parts are restored to their proper positions.

The device of the present invention which is designed to be worn between the toes is highly useful in the case of improperly growing toe nails, over and underlapping toes, and other foot ailments.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a one piece block of highly elastic material shapedto retain its position between the toes, and because of its nature is both cool and comfortable to wear and highly sanitary.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the further understanding that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention. I

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a schematic view of a human foot with the invention applied between the great toe and the second toe. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the toe straightening block. Fig. 3' is a longitudinal central section thereof. Fig. a is a cross section.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a block 1 of elongated and slightly tapering form in the direction of its length,-the block having concave sides 2 and concave ends 3, 4, respectively. The block is composed of a single piece of sponge rubber with as much of the surface as desired provided with a skin or rind 5 which in the drawings is exaggerated in thickness for clearness of illustration. The rind 5 is in one piece with the body of the block and forms a thin moisture impervious skin where the block contacts with the sock or stocking, while the highly porous body of the sponge rubber block has many interstices forming a multitude of air cavities which may be exposed where the block engages the toes.

Since the toes naturally separate, if spread apart, from the root endstoward the free ends, the block is given a slight longitudinal taper to cause a similar separation of the toes, between which the block is introduced, from the body of the foot outwardly, the application of the block being shown in Fig. 1 where there is schematically illustrated a human foot 6, with the block 1 applied between the great toe 7 and the second toe 8. The block might, of course, be applied between other toes, or more than one block might be employed if needed to straighten two or more of the toes, the blocks being of appropriate sizes for the purpose.

Vhere the sides of the toes are presented edges of the block, wherefore the natural tendency of the toes to approach or the pressure of the foot covering upon the foot efiectively imprisons the block between the toes where it is introduced. The concave front and back ends of the block permit the ready introduction of the block at the crotch where the toes meet, so as to overreach the body of the foot where the end of the block lodges between the toes, while the other end of the block facilitates the approach of the toes at such point because of its concave form, or even permits reversal of the block if such be desired. I

The sponge rubber block is extremely elastic and yet provides a yieldable resistance to the approach of the toes which tends to straighten the toes Without discomfort to the wearer.

The great elasticity of the block is due not only to the natural elasticity of the rubber, but the many air pockets act as so many minute pneumatic, cushions of great elasticity, so that the device may be worn without discomfort and constantly exerts a comparatively small and yet persistent pressure which contributes to the cure of the defect even without the wearer being conscious of the presence of thedevice. v

The spreader is made'of appropriate sizes,

of extremely elastic rubber having nearly the same elasticityas air. The device may be'worn next to the skin without discomfort; and without liability of any unsanitary consequences, and the outer skin or rind may be made very thin, so that its presence as a solid or nonporous part is not sensible. Moreover, the concave form of the block and the many air pockets or suction cups, when exposed, render it automatically undisplaceable when once applied between the toes, even when the wearer is walking, while the soft smooth surfaces where brought into direct contact with the flesh do not tend to chafe or otherwise cause discomfort.

What is claimed is:-

A toe straightening device consisting of an elongated tapering block of sponge rubber with the sides and ends concave and the interstices of the rubber there exposed to form numerousair cups causing non-sliding tenacious adherence of the block to the toes, and the top and bottom of the block provided with a skin or rind impervious to moisture.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES w. ARROWSMITH.

, Witnesses:

DAVID F. BARKMAN, ROBERT E. MURPHY. 

